Description This course, which includes a lab, explores the formation, evolution, and death of stars. Our sun is used as an example of ordinary stars in their middle age. This course is intended for the student interested in astronomy to fulfill the general education lab science requirements. Topics include the birth of stars and the final states they may occupy at their death, extraordinary stars, extremely massive stars, black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs. Prerequisites: MATH 74C; appropriate placement score or grade of C or higher in ENGL 087; or permission of the Science Division Chair or designee. Recommended: READ 088 or higher.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe how the scientific method is used in the acquisition and application of "scientific knowledge"

Describe behaviors of light and other types of radiation

Identify basic principles of optics as related to telescopes

Describe how atomic interactions and nuclear energy are related to stars

Explain the Standard Solar Model

Analyze techniques of celestial distance measurements

Predict the entire life cycle of a star based on its initial mass

Course Topics

Basics of astronomical studies- the scientific methods, laws of nature, and appropriate units of measure

Light and Electromagnetic Spectrum

Telescopes and other observational tools of astronomy

Models of the formation and behaviors of the Sun

Techniques to determine the characteristics of stars: temperature, distance, composition, and motion